The Los Angeles Dodgers were eliminated from playoff contention Tuesday evening after a 4-3 loss to the San Francisco Giants.

Barry Zito (15-8) threw six strong innings for San Francisco and picked up the victory. With the Dodgers losing, the St. Louis Cardinals have claimed the second wild card spot in the National League and will square off against the Atlanta Braves in a one-game playoff Friday.

Buster Posey got things started with a solo home run in the second inning. The Dodgers would get the run right back in the bottom of the inning on a Luis Cruz groundout. Joaquin Arias would make it 2-1 Giants with a solo shot in the third. In the fifth, Marco Scutaro hit a two-run double to give the Giants a 4-1 lead.

The Dodgers' best opportunity came in the seventh inning. After Andre Ethier was hit by a pitch, A.J. Ellis blasted a two-run homer to cut the Giants' lead to 4-3. After Nick Punto struck out, Mark Ellis hit a smash into the gap in left-center field. He tried to stretch a double into a triple but was gunned down easily at third base. Shane Victorino followed with a triple, but was stranded when Matt Kemp struck out.

In the ninth, Andre Ethier led off with a single. After an A.J. Ellis strikeout and a Bobby Abreu fly out, pinch runner Dee Gordon stole second base. Mark Ellis, with a chance to redeem himself for the base-running blunder, ended the game with a fly-out to center field.

The Dodgers had won six games in a row to remain in contention before Tuesday's loss.